Road to the Hall of Fame: Mary Marino

GLASSBORO, NJ - One of the cornerstone builders for Rowan athletics, Mary Marino will be inducted into the Shirley O’Day-Joy Solomen Rowan/Glassboro State Athletics Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 24, honoring a historic 20-year career. 

Marino first arrived on campus in 1987 when she took over as head field hockey coach, and one year later, was named head coach of the women’s lacrosse team. Marino was drawn to working for Rowan because of her past relationships with fellow alumni. 

“Before coaching at Eastern High School I had been coaching adult field hockey and lacrosse players and had the opportunity to work with several outstanding Glassboro State alums,” says Marino. “When an opportunity opened for a full-time coaching position in the health and physical education department, I jumped on it.” 

The idea of being a coach always stood out in Marino’s mind ever since she was in high school. Mentored by strong female coaches, they ultimately inspired her to play at the collegiate level and pursue what was typically a male-dominated field at her time. 

During her athletic career at Beaver College (now Arcadia University), Marino mainly focused on playing field hockey with side appearances on both the women’s basketball and lacrosse teams, the latter of which was completely new to her at the time. Her experience as a student-athlete ultimately shaped her career as a coach. 

“I could always borrow something learned from one coach and apply it in another sport,” says Marino. “For example, developing the footwork needed in lacrosse helped me be a better field hockey player, and what I picked up on the basketball court helped me be a more effective defender in lacrosse.” 

Overseeing two separate Rowan teams, Marino established a legacy within these two programs. She is the school’s all-time leader in career victories in women’s lacrosse, compiling a 170-115 mark in 19 seasons, from 1988 to 1997 and then from 1999 to 2007. Marino led the women’s lacrosse team to its first NCAA Tournament in 1993 and would go on to guide the Profs to a total of five NCAA appearances., while seeing 15 of her players earn All-America recognition, including seven first-team honorees. 

With 101 wins in 11 seasons as field hockey coach from 1987 to 1997, Marino ranks second all-time in career victories. Her teams recorded double-digit win totals seven times with a high of 13 wins in 1992 and 1993. Marino’s field hockey teams also made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and the Profs’ victory over Lebanon in 1992 became the first-ever NCAA win for the program. During her tenure, Profs’ student-athletes were recognized as All-Americans six times. 

Marino did have to take a brief pause in coaching due to an auto accident, leading to her miss the 1998 season for both field hockey and lacrosse. Wanting more time to fully recover at her own pace, Penny Kempf stepped in as an acting head coach during that time. 

Nevertheless, Marino returned to the field the following season to coach Women’s Lacrosse full time. She continued as the head coach position for almost another decade before she retired in 2007. 

Marino certainly made a name for herself in the lacrosse world. She went on to serve as a coach for the U.S. National Developmental Team and was inducted into the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1997. 

Viewing her induction into the Rowan Athletic Hall of Fame as a humbling experience, Marino hopes people remember her as a mentor and guide to student-athletes. 

“[A coach is] Someone who supports athletes in their final step toward independence,” says Marino. “Because of this, I have tried to foster the value of perseverance, flexible thinking, and accountability for one’s own actions ­– some of the most important qualities communities need from the next generation.” 

The 2021 Rowan/Glassboro State Athletic Hall of Fame Class also includes John Bunting – Football Coach (1988-92), Mary Marino – Field Hockey and Lacrosse Coach (1987-97, 1988-97 and 1999-07), Moriah Holmstrom  – Field Hockey (1997-2000), Tiffany Miller – Softball (1994-98), Bob Pfeffer – Baseball (1975-78), Mike Rucci – Baseball (2002-05) and Rob Scott – Basketball (1994-98).  The induction ceremony will take place on Homecoming Weekend on Sunday, October 24.